“A collection of profound and epic album reviews and musical articles by former astronaut and brain surgeon, Alasdair Kennedy. Reaching levels of poetry that rival Keats and Blake, the following reviews affirm Alasdair to be a prodigy, a genius and a god whose opinion is always objectively right. He is also without a doubt the most modest man in the universe.” - Alasdair Kennedy

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Monday, 3 April 2017

INTRODUCING: Cloud Tangle

Cloud Tangle is the
impressive solo work of Brisbane singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
Amber Ramsay.

Her latest EP, Pocket, is a goose-bump-inducingly raw depiction
of heartbreak.

Sombre organs, fragile
guitars and lurching percussion make up the four melancholy tracks on offer. Amber’s
vocals meanwhile are sighed out and soaked in bleary-eyed reverb creating a
feeling of sadness that is truly intense.

Tracks such as opener
‘Always Falling’ build slowly in a suspenseful fashion whilst the likes of
closer ‘The Feeling of You’ take on a more ambient and cloudy form like a painfully nostalgic memory threatening to fade
away.

Whilst there’s no
shortage of gloomy artists out there, Amber’s approach feels truly distinct through
its lo-fi instrumental textures and longing vocals. This concept of sadness
even extends to her visuals, which are just as relentlessly bleak.

Below I interview
Amber herself about the EP, her favourite sad movies and songs, as well as
pizza toppings.

If Cloud Tangle was a pizza what toppings would it have?

Rain drops and fairy floss.

POCKET is an absolutely beautiful EP. The songs are all very
melancholy. Do these sounds and feelings come from a personal place?

Not necessarily from a personal experience but more just
ideas of stories that stem from a certain feeling. A lot of the
lyrics on the EP are metaphorical or highly elevated to make the mood
darker or more intense.

You play all the instruments on this record. Which instrument did
you learn to play first?

I first learnt the piano when I was about 8 and began to
learn by ear. From there I began learning songs on my own and picking up
instruments like guitar and singing which was influenced by my musical exposure
and tastes at the time.

Favourite sad song and favourite sad movie?

My favourite sad song of all time would have to be Videotape
by Radiohead. The track is perfectly produced and despite Radiohead's
overwhelmingly sad sounding songs, this one seems to hit me the most. The
saddest movie I have seen recently would be American Beauty.

Great choices! The Brisbane music scene seems to be buzzing right
now. Any unknown local groups/singers that you think the rest of the world
ought to know about?